Process for the production of cyclododecenylacetonitrile

ABSTRACT

Cyclododecenylacetonitrile is prepared by reacting cyclododecanone with cyanoacetic acid in the presence of a catalyst. Purified cyclododecenylacetonitrile has a pleasant scent reminiscent of roses and lilies of the valley, containing additionally a musk note, and is suitable as a fragrance and as a fragrance component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cyclododecenylacetonitrile.

Cyclododecenylacetonitrile has been prepared by the condensation of cyclododecanone with acetonitrile in the presence of strongly alkaline catalysts, Stephen A. DiBiase et al., Journal of Org. Chem. 44, No. 25, page 4640, (1979). A mixture of the isomers (1) and (2), in cis and trans form, is obtained in an overall yield of about only 45%. ##STR1## Such a low yield inhibits commercial exploitation of the product.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient and economical process for the production of cyclododecenylacetonitrile.

Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects have been attained by a process for the production of cyclododecenylacetonitrile which comprises reacting cyclododecanone with cyanoacetic acid in a molar ratio of 5:1 to 1:5 at a temperature between 100°-170° C. in the presence of 5-1% by weight of a Knoevenagel catalyst, and separating the cyclododecenylacetonitrile produced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Cyclododecenylacetonitrile, as a mixture of its cis and trans isomers, is obtained in an overall yield of more than 70% by the Knoevenagel reaction of cyclododecanone with cyanoacetic acid in the presence of a conventional Knoevenagel catalyst, such as ammonia or an amine, for example piperidine, β-alanine etc., preferably also in the presence of a carboxylic acid, for example, glacial acetic acid. Ammonium acetate is a preferred catalyst for the reaction because it is readily separable from the products of the reaction, it has the advantage of being very inexpensive, and does need not be recovered.

Organic chemistry textbooks state that good yields of product are obtained in the Knoevenagel reaction when short-chain ketones or carbonyl compounds activated by an aromatic ring are employed. In the aliphatic ketones series, e.g., acetone, butanone and cyclohexanone, the yields of product drop from 90% to 70%. In other words, the yield declines significantly as the chain length or number of carbon atoms increases, Organikum, 12th ed., VEB Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, Berlin, 1973, page 508.

Thus, it could not be expected that the Knoevenagel reaction in a complex ring system having twice as many carbon atoms as cyclohexanone would give good yields of product. Nor could it be foreseen that a ketone with 12 carbon atoms gives with cyanoacetic acid in the presence of a very weak alkaline catalyst (in contrast to the method described by Stephen A. DiBiase et al.) a more than 70% yield of the correspondingly substituted acetonitrile.

In practicing the process of the present invention, cyclododecanone is reacted with cyanoacetic acid in a molar ratio of 5:1 to 1:5, preferably 1:2 to 1:1, in the presence of 5-1% by weight, preferably 3-2% by weight of a conventional Knoevenagel catalyst based on cyclodedecanone, at 100°-170° C. and preferably 120°-140° C. The reaction product is purified by distillation under vacuum, typically at 1-50 mbar. Cyclododecenylacetonitrile, containing a small quantity of (2), is obtained in a purity of above 99% but has an odor resembling ammonia. After passing an inert gas, such as, for example, nitrogen, e.g., 50-200 liters of nitrogen, through 1-5 liters of the mixture of cyclododecenylacetonitrile isomers for a period of 0.5-5 hours, preferably 1-3 hours, at 10°-100° C., and preferably 15°-30° C., the ammonia odor completely disappears.

Following treatment with an inert gas, the cyclododecenylacetonitrile has an unexpected, pleasant fragrance reminiscent of roses and lilies of the valley and additionally comprising a musk note. Cyclododecynylacetonitrile (1) and its isomer (2), as well as their mixture, exhibit superior fragrance quality and also exhibit unexpectedly good properties as fragrance components. There has been no suggestion heretofore that these comounds, in the pure form, have a good fragrance quality.

There exists great interest in fragrances that can be readily and economically manufactured, show great chemical stability, and possess a broad spectrum of usage possibilities in various fragrance compositions. These properties are displayed by nitriles (1) and (2), and by their mixture to a surprisingly high degree. In comparison with many other fragrances, such as, for example, esters and aldehydes, cyclododecenylacetonitrile resists chemical attack and is stable in a pH range of about 3-14. On account of its unexpectedly high resistance to alkali, it is particularly suitable for the perfuming of detergents, soaps, etc.

Compounds (1) and (2), and their mixture, can be blended with other substances, primarily with other fragrances, to form novel fragrance compositions. In this connection, the proportion of the cyclododecenylacetonitrile, especially the mixture amounts generally up to 60% by weight, preferably 1-50% by weight of the fragrance composition. By virtue of the addition of cyclododecenylacetonitrile, the compositions gain a rounded aroma, without losing their interesting, characteristic fragrance note. It is surprising that, as illustrated in the examples which follow, this effect is obtained in compositions and perfume bases having widely differing fragrance characteristics.

Fragrance compositions containing cyclododecenylacetonitrile, especially mixture thereof, can serve as a perfume or for the perfuming of cosmetics, such as, for example, creams, toilet soaps and lotions. They can also be utilized to improve the scent of industrial products, such as, for example, detergents and cleaning agents, disinfectants and textile finishing agents.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of Cyclododecenylacetonitrile

An agitator-equipped apparatus provided with thermometer, reflux condenser, and water trap is charged with the following materials:

434 g (5 mol): cyanoacetic acid

910 g (5 mol): cyclododecanone

650 g: toluene

21 g: ammonium acetate

The reaction mixture is heated to boiling under reflux at 128°-130° C. for 30 hours with agitation and under nitrogen; the water formed (80 g) is collected in the water trap. Carbon dioxide is evolved during the course of the reaction.

The reaction mixture is distilled the through a short glass column filled glass Raschig rings. First, toluene is distilled off under atmospheric pressure. Then, the nitrile mixture, boiling range of 120°-180° C. at 18-20 mbar, is separated.

The nitrile distillate is fractionated on a 0.5 m glass column filled with multifill packing elements. At 13 mbar, 729 g of distillate is obtained boiling in the range 170°-179° C.

The purity of the nitrile mixture, which contained three components, determined by gas chromatography, is 99.1%. The amounts of individual components present were:

1st Component: 63.2%

2nd Component: 32.0%

3rd Component: 3.9%

Components 1 and 2 correspond to structure (1) and are the cis and trans isomers. The third and minor component corresponds to structure (2). The overall yield of the three-component mixture was 71.1%.

The three component mixture has a pronounced ammonia odor. To remove that odor, about 50-200 liters of nitrogen per hour is passed through 1-5 liters of the mixture at ambient temperatures (15°-30° C.) or higher, up to about 100° C., by means of a pipe having a constricted end (tapered or provided with a porous plate at the end) immersed in the product. Depending on temperature, 0.5-5 hours is required; the end point of the gas feeding step is readily detected by the marked improvement in odor of the product.

A very pure mixture of isomers of cyclododecenylacetonitrile is obtained, having a pleasant scent reminiscent of rose and lily of the valley and additionally encompassing a musk note. This mixture, as well as its individual isomer, can be used as a fragrance or in the preparation of fragrance compositions.

EXAMPLE 2

A flowery "lily of the valley composition" is prepared by mixing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                         25    parts    jasmine base                                                    3     parts    phenylethyl isobutyrate                                         5     parts    geraniol 98 = 2-trans-3,7-dimethyl-                                            2,6-octadien-8-ol (commercial product                                          of BBA)                                                         5     parts    citronellol = 3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-                                          ol (commercial product of BBA)                                  1     part     methyl cinnamate 1%                                             10    parts    β-phenylethanol                                            30    parts    "Lilial" = p-tert-butyl-α-methylphenyl-                                  propionaldehyde (commercial product of                                         GIVAUDAN SA)                                                    5     parts    cyclamen aldehyde = p-isopropyl-α-                                       methylphenylpropionaldehyde                                     9     parts    linalool, synthetic = 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-                                        octadien-3-ol (commercial product of                                           GIVAUDAN SA)                                                    93    parts    total                                                           ______________________________________                                    

This composition has the typical lily of the valley scent.

The addition of 32 parts of cyclododecenylacetonitrile yields 125 parts of a novel fragrance composition exhibiting not only the flowery lily of the valley note but also a fuller, rounded scent spectrum with, in part, a more tart, spicy character.

EXAMPLE 3

A so-called VIOLETTE composition is produced by mixing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                         480 parts                                                                             "Vestinol" C = o-phthalic acid di-n-butyl                                      ester (commercial product of CWH)                                       25 parts                                                                              "Cedrol", see S. Arctander, Perfume and                                        Flavor Chemicals Montclair N.J. (USA) 1969,                                    No. 598 (commercial product of MANE FILS)                               20 parts                                                                              "Base Vert de Violette" (commercial product of                                 E.R.P.)                                                                 175 parts                                                                             "Colophane" (commercial product of D.R.T)                               50 parts                                                                              "Ionone Savon" (commercial product of SORDES)                           100 parts                                                                             "Terpens d'Isorone" (commercial product of                                     SORDES)                                                                 25 parts                                                                              benzyl benzoate                                                         50 parts                                                                              "Bois de Cedre de Virgine" (commercial product                                 of ADRIEN)                                                              25 parts                                                                              benzyl acetate                                                          50 parts                                                                              "Terpineol" (commercial product of D.R.T.)                              100 parts                                                                             total                                                                   ______________________________________                                    

This composition has a woody, somewhat shallow fragrance reminiscent of tree rosins.

The addition of 50 parts of cyclododecenylacetonitrile results in 150 parts of a novel fragrance composition with a scent that is more rounded as compared with the above-described composition and contains a full, warm component.

EXAMPLE 4

A so-called "SANTAL" base composition is prepared by mixing the components set out below:

    ______________________________________                                         36   parts   isobornyl cyclohexanol                                            29.8 parts   "Dicydol" = 3(4),8(9)-dihydroxymethyl-                                         tricyclo[5.2.1.sup.2,6 ]decane (commercial product                             of RUHRCHEMIE)                                                    9    parts   methylcyclododecyl ether (10% strength)                           3    parts   "Arova" = 1,4-dioxacyclohexadecane-5,16-                                       dione CXBM (commercial product of E.R.P.)                         0.2  part    "Prunolide" (10% strength) (commercial pro-                                    duct of GIVAUDAN)                                                 2    parts   formate of trans-β-decahydronaphthol                         80   parts   total                                                             ______________________________________                                    

This composition has a sweetish, musk-like scent reminiscent of sandalwood.

The addition of 20 parts of cyclododecenylacetonitrile results in 100 parts of a novel fragrance base with a scent that is more rounded, warmer, milder as compared with the starting mixture and has a somewhat more flowery note.

EXAMPLE 5

A special, so-called PATCHOULY base composition is prepared by mixing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                         5    parts  isobornyl cyclohexanol                                             5    parts  "Dicydol" (see Example 4)                                          17   parts  methylcyclododecyl ether (10% strength)                            1    part   formate of trans-β-decahydronaphthol                          10   parts  formate of p-tert-butylcyclohexanol                                10   parts  "Vertofix coeur" (commercial product of IFF)                       1    part   p-tert-butylcyclohexanol                                           5    parts  "Vetchouly" (commercial product of BERJE)                          20   parts  "Bomme Copahn" (commercial product of                                          ADRIEN)                                                            10   parts  "Bomme Gurjum" (of the same firm)                                  5    parts  "Acetat des Cedrenyle", S. Arctander, Perfume                                  and Flavor Chemicals Montclair N.J. (USA),                                     1969, No. 597 (commercial product of IFF)                          1    part   isocyclocitral, S. Arctander, Perfume and                                      Flavor Chemicals Montclair N.J. (USA), 1969,                                   No. 761 (commercial product of the same firm)                      2    parts  "Perou Bomme" (commercial product of ADRIEN)                       0.25 part   "Melange PM 531/PM 517 a 2%" (pyrazines)                                       (commercial product of BBA)                                        3    parts  formaldehyde dicyclododecylacetal                                  2.75 parts  cyclododecenone                                                    98   parts  total                                                              ______________________________________                                    

This composition has the characteristic patchouly aroma.

The addition of 27 parts of cyclododecenylacetonitrile results in 125 parts of a novel (fragrance) base wherein the patchouly flavor is retained, but which exhibits a rounded scent with a warm, refreshing note. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for the production of cyclododecenylacetonitrile which comprises reacting cyclododecanone with cyanoacetic acid in a molar ratio of 5:1 to 1:5 at temperatures of 100°-170° C. in the presence of 5-1% by weight of a Knoevenagel catalyst, and separating the cyclododecenylacetonitrile produced.
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of cyclododecanone is cyanoacetic acid is 1:2 to 1:1.
 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction temperature is 120°-140° C.
 4. A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is ammonium acetate.
 5. A process according to claim 4, wherein 3-2% by weight of ammonium acetate is present.
 6. A process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclododecenylacetonitrile is separated by distillation under vacuum.
 7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the cyclododecenylacetonitrile is further purified by passing an inert gas therethrough.
 8. A process according to claim 7, wherein the inert gas is passed through the cyclododecenylacetonitrile at 15°-100° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours.
 9. A process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction is carried out over a period of time of 30 hours.
 10. A process according to claim 1, wherein cyclododecanone is reacted with cyanoacetic acid in the presence of toluene for a period of thirty hours.
 11. A process according to claim 1, wherein cyclododecanone and cyanoacetic acid are reacted in the presence of toluene.
 12. A process for the production of cyclododecenylacetonitrile comprising reacting cyclododecanone with cyanoacetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:2 to 1:1 at a temperature of 120°-140° C. in the presence of 3 to 2% by weight of ammonium acetate, acting as a Knoevenagel catalyst, and in the presence of toluene for a period of thirty hours, separating the resultant cyclododecenylacetonitrile by distillation under vacuum, and passing an inert gas through the cyclododecenylacetonitrile at 15°-100° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours. 